The Thonet Rocking Chair. Piece of the Week.

The Thonet Rocking Chair. Its hard to think this design has been around since 1862. No-one seems to know who designed it. It was probably one of the first flat packs of its day, made up of simple bentwood elements that can be easily transported.

This is the first one I have bought and is in excellent condition having been recovered probably in the 1960's. Its not as simple as the later Joseph Hoffman designs but it is simple to equate this method of construction with the way furniture was to be designed by all, with cost of production and ease of assembly in mind.
Mies Van Der Rohe owes a debt of gratitude to Thonet and their pioneering use of beech. Van Deh Rohe would employ the use of simple shapes and use he strength of steel to design cantilevered shapes.


Beech is a tight grained timber that allowed the steaming of the wood and the immediate bending into shapes, that must have astounded when first retailed.
Or maybe they were criticised taking away the skill of the cabinet makers art. But what is in no doubt is that it helped make furniture affordable for the mass market.
 
http://www.classicartdeco.co.uk/furniture.php

Eric Knowles Calls In To Film "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is".

As part of filming for the BBC2 programme 

"Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" Eric Knowles called in to do some filming.

I have not seen Eric for some time, well since he did the opening speech for the "Age of Jazz" an exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery, that I was commissioned to construct a room setting for by Sue Lunt who curated it.

The programme goes out on Wednesday 18th April at 5.15 pm.
Here we are stopping for a chat during the brief period of the recent filming at my shop.
We were joking about the mileage we have to cover in this job, just to get the goods, then again to sell them.
I pulled his leg a bit about the velvet cushioned world of BBC's Antique Roadshow against the cut and thrust of reality. He has a sense of humour and it was all good fun. Hope I have not "Put my foot where my mouth is" It's a bit of fun and its right to take it in that spirit.

e-petition Liverpool Waters. Protect Liverpools World Heritage Site from Liverpool Waters.

Protect Liverpools World Heritage Site from Liverpool Waters
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/30272

Responsible department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Due to the threat to a Unesco World Heritage Site from the development known as Liverpool Waters it would be most appropriate if the government "called in" this application for scrutiny.
Unesco say:
Mission’s Conclusion and Recommendation
The mission concludes that if the proposed Liverpool Waters scheme as outlined during the mission would be implemented, the World Heritage property would be irreversibly damaged, due to a serious deterioration of its architectural and town-planning coherence, a serious loss of historical authenticity, and an important loss of cultural significance. It strongly recommends that the three principal stakeholders, being Liverpool City Council, Peel Holdings and English Heritage, reconvene around the table.

The government must not let Liverpool lose its WHS status for a speculative scheme that lacks the skill to create a 21st century city that respects its heritage assetts.

Suarez Scum-Ashamed to be a Liverpudlian

All my life I have supported Liverpool Football Club but they have allowed rascist scum to infiltrate its ranks.
The way the club has dealt with this affair of Suarez calling Evra a Negrita is an utter disgrace.
He was rightly banned for 8 matches but it seems that was not enough. The club supported him and for that reason the little rat thought he could get away with being a hero for not wishing to shake the hand of Mr Evra.
 He should be punished, and made to leave the club I dont want my city represented bt this sort of scum.

Daglish used to have the respect of a great number of people.
He has lost mine over the way he has dealt with this whole diabolical affair.
There comes a time when you have to get rid of clowns like Suarez.
And if the clown manager does not wake up to reality get rid of him too,

I have to agree with Sir Alex Fergusons's remarks and wish to add that while liars that wont own up to reality run the club Liverpool will forever be a little club and no amount of arguements with manchester United or its players will change that.

Wade-Smith Comes To India Buildings.

India Buildings is decked out in all its Xmas glory again and Wade-Smith a name that has been absent from the High Street for seven years has opened a store here in Holts Arcade

At the time of updating November 2022 The building is closed and all the HMRC staff had been told not to come into work due to a massive leak. Which will have done great damage to the structure. This is what happens when greedy people who are only interested in money are in charge.

All the care and attention that was given to the building. The Architect of this historic structure Herbert Rowse will be definitely turning in his grave. 

What a complete and utter mess.

Hearing space was available in Holt’s Arcade Robert Wade-Smith, who has been in retailing for 29 years, decided this was an ideal showcase to promote the brand. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/ldpbusiness/business-local/2011/12/14/celebrated-liverpool-business-family-wade-smith-returns-to-retail-after-nearly-six-years-absence-92534-29949341/ 
Peter Elson of the Daily Post popped around to write up an article for the local paper.
I welcome the Wade-Smith name to India Buildings and hope they can help me to establish an alternative shopping experience that is both interesting and positive for the business quarter of Liverpool, that is a bit more than the uniformity of the High Street, that seems to hold all the same brands, in every other city. We are open Saturday's till Xmas Eve and we hope that the current owners will help in establishing a weekend trade that helps the building to be open for the public who can marvel at its grandeur and discover its historic past.
Update 5.11.19 WHAT A WASTE OF TIME THAT WAS. He was off as soon as his rent free ended.

Tales From The Crypt

This Wednesday 7th December 2011 you will have another chance to hear Terry Riley's "In C"
Along with the World Premiere of Howard Skempton's "Hope Street Melodies"
Jonathan Hering's "The Spiral Staircase will also be premiered.

The last time we played "In C" was a few years back now, at the Bluecoat in School Lane.

The a.P.A.t.T Orchestra will assemble for a 7.30 pm start at

Lutyens Crypt
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ The King.

Liverpool Blitz Hero Remembered.

Its easy to forget the role that the Royal Pioneer Corps played in the war. A local hero Corporal James Scully was remembered, through the sale of his medals recently.
George Scully's George Cross and two other of his medals made £72,000 at a saleroom that was consigned by the family. It was the first time that the brave Corporal's medals had come onto the market